Method and apparatus for notifying users of filtered e-mail using a set top box

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of set top boxes (STBs). More particularly, the invention relates to STBs working with e-mail servers to provide notification to users of the arrival of selected e-mails.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a representative block diagram of a conventional cable television (TV) system. A set top box (STB) <b>10</b> contains electronic equipment that is used to connect a subscriber's TV <b>12</b>, and potentially other video electronic equipment, with a TV content provider <b>14</b>. An STB <b>10</b> is essentially a rudimentary computer without floppy disc or CD ROM drives that is programmed to process programming and potentially other services from a provider <b>14</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, STBs can be connected to a TV provider <b>14</b> via cable modem <b>16</b>, satellite <b>18</b>, or even broadcast antennae <b>20</b>. Presently, the highest percentage of STBs <b>10</b> are connected to cable TV providers <b>14</b> through a coaxial wall outlet.

Services provided by a TV provider <b>14</b> typically include access to a number of TV channels and sometimes an electronic program guide. Additional premium channels may also be provided to subscribers at an additional fee. Pay-per-view events and video-on-demand may also be supplied by the TV provider <b>14</b>. The STB <b>10</b> is programmed to furnish these and other services to the subscriber.

However, some TV providers also offer Internet access and e-mail accounts. Many different combinations of TV programming, web access, and e-mail services are commercially available.

One such combination of TV programming and web/e-mail access is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. Accessing such a service from the Internet Service Provider (ISP) <b>15</b> requires a STB <b>10</b>, a conventional TV <b>12</b> to connect the STB <b>10</b>, and a telephone line to sign up and access the service. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, such an arrangement also includes a wireless keyboard <b>22</b> of the typical computer QWERTY style, an ordinary wireless remote controller <b>24</b> like that found with a TV <b>12</b>, and a 56K modem <b>26</b>. The keyboard <b>22</b> can be used by the user during operation of the STB <b>10</b>. However, a substantial portion of the user-selectable options do not require use of the keyboard <b>22</b>, and can be accomplished using the ordinary remote controller <b>24</b>. The keyboard <b>22</b> is essential in setting up the STB <b>10</b> and selecting various options, but might go unused for long periods of time after set up. Also, during set-up, the TV <b>12</b> screen can show a display of a keyboard through which a user can designate letters using the ordinary remote controller <b>24</b>.

When setting up the STB <b>10</b> and ISP <b>15</b> connections for the first time, users are asked a few questions so that the ISP can then detect the TV programming received from their local cable, broadcast, or satellite TV provider <b>14</b>. However, the combination of TV programming and web/e-mail access from the ISP <b>15</b> does not replace these types of TV programming, but is an additional online service that is intended to enhance the television viewing experience, not supplant it. For example, a STB user can compete in real time with the contestants appearing on the quiz shows, and can have his or her score continually updated on a portion of the TV screen <b>12</b>. The user can also compare the score with the scores of other STB quiz show players. Similarly, viewers of professional sports games can obtain detailed player statistics far beyond what is displayed by the TV network.

An additional Internet utility available using STBs is Instant Messaging, where messages from selected users can be displayed directly on the TV <b>12</b> connected to the STB <b>10</b>. Another feature of Instant Messaging is that it allows users to control who can see when they are online and who can send them messages. However, these messages are not in a typical Internet e-mail format, and are only filterable to the extent that a user can add or delete persons from their “buddylist”, or list of other people capable of sending instant messages. Also, if the Instant Messaging software application <b>28</b> is not enabled, a user will not know that another person is attempting to contact that user via Instant Messaging.

As stated, STB users can have a wide range of online content to choose from. However, no provision is made for preempting the STB video data to signify the arrival and priority of a traditional Internet e-mail <b>32</b>. During the operation of an STB <b>10</b>, the TV content normally owns the entire screen, and is not pre-emptive without user interaction. Thus, the screen area belonging to the TV <b>12</b> looks quite different from a regular computer with a windowed user interface. Because STBs are intended, in general, to carry one primary video event to a user, there is not much need for separate screen partitions or divisions of the screen area. Consequently, STBs do not normally make provision for dividing the screen, or any other complex video management involving dedicating a portion of the screen to a specific event not related to the primary video datastream.

Furthermore, conventional Internet e-mail accounts that are not sold with STB services are difficult if not impossible to be accessed from a STB <b>12</b>. Thus, such a conventional STB <b>10</b> cannot notify the user of an arrival of an Internet e-mail <b>32</b> from a non-STB e-mail account. Additionally, a conventional STB <b>10</b> lacks the sophistication necessary to notify the user of the arrival of an Internet e-mail <b>32</b> which satisfies user-specified e-mail filter criteria <b>36</b>.

Finally, when a new STB <b>10</b> is added to an ISP <b>15</b>, it must be initialized. To initialize a STB <b>10</b>, the STB <b>10</b> must be provided with the programming required to allow it to function within the specific ISP <b>15</b> to which it is connected and to thereby provide the services for which the subscriber has paid. Additionally, as the TV provider <b>14</b> and its accompanying services evolve, the STB <b>10</b> must also evolve to continue providing subscribers with as many of these services as possible. Such an evolution will primarily involve changes to the programming, and perhaps a re-initialization, of the STB <b>10</b>.

In order to initialize a new STB <b>10</b> or upgrade the programming in an existing STB <b>10</b>, it is preferable to transmit the necessary programming to the STB <b>10</b> via the TV provider <b>14</b> network. Otherwise, a technician must visit each subscriber to install or upgrade the STB <b>10</b>. Such field installations and upgrades would obviously be at significant expense. Software that is provided to the population of STBs could be downloaded through the ISP <b>15</b>, or through the TV provider <b>14</b>. However, such a download requires that the STB <b>10</b> contain some intelligence in order to properly react to and manage such a download. This is because there are many different versions and capabilities of STBs in existence, and it is important to be able to determine which STBs can support which levels of software.

Thus, there is a need for an STB that can notify users of the arrival of certain e-mail messages, where that notification occurs as a result of user-specified filter criteria and that an e-mail account exists outside of the STB arrangement. Also, there is a need for a STB to notify a user of the arrival of such e-mail by using a portion of a TV screen. Finally, because there are many different types of STBs in existence, there is a need for a way of downloading new STB applications that can determine the capabilities of a particular STB so that the appropriate application can be downloaded thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to meet the above-described needs and others. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to query and filter e-mails and notify a user of their arrival via a Set Top Box connected to a TV.

To achieve these stated and other objects, the present invention is embodied and described as a software application residing on a STB which queries an e-mail server and notifies a user that an e-mail message fulfilling specific filter criteria has arrived. In a preferred embodiment, the e-mail filtering and notification application resides on a Set Top Box (STB) which is connected between a TV content provider, an Internet provider having an e-mail server, and a TV; a software program resident on the STB which allows a user to specify e-mail filter criteria and notification icons which then retain and store those criteria and icons. The software program preferably includes a querying module which queries the e-mail server to determine whether e-mail fulfilling the user-specified criteria has arrived at the e-mail server, and upon arrival of an e-mail fulfilling the criteria, the application notifies the user by posting the notification icons to the STB.

The application may also either continually or occasionally query the e-mail server, and may run on top of either a multi-tasking or a single-tasking Operating System (O/S). In the single-tasking case, the application remains in memory as a Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) program and runs intermittently at specifically timed intervals.

The application may also notify the Set Top Box user via an icon on the TV screen, where the notification icon is configurable by the user, and can reflect the content of the targeted e-mail. Alternatively, the application can notify the STB user through the use of a tone generated through the TV speaker, where the tone is configurable by the user, and can reflect the content of the targeted e-mail. The application can also notify the STB user of more than one e-mail messages, where each message satisfies different criteria and has different notification icons.

The application can also query the e-mail server upon power up of the STB, and then immediately notify the user of the existence of e-mails satisfying the user-specified criteria. Alternatively, the application can notify the user by use of a pager rather than through the STB. Also, the application can notify the user of the existence of a telephone call with Caller ID instead of an e-mail message, or can notify the user that another user is attempting to make contact using Instant Messaging.

Furthermore, updated versions of the application can be downloaded to the STB by said Internet provider, where that downloading of newer versions can distinguish between different types of STBs.

The application can also be resident on the e-mail server rather than the STB, or resident on a middle or intermediate server.

The present invention also encompasses the methods of implementing and operating the application described above. For example, the present invention expressly includes a method of filtering e-mail messages and notifying a user by installing a software program on a STB, wherein the STB is connected both to a TV content provider and an e-mail server; configuring that program with specific e-mail criteria and notification symbols; queuing incoming e-mail messages at the e-mail server; querying the e-mail server as to whether any of the queued messages fulfill the criteria; and notifying a user that e-mail messages fulfilling the criteria are available on the e-mail server.

The present invention also encompasses the means of implementing and operating the application described above. For example, the present invention expressly includes an e-mail filtering and notification application including a STB, connected among a TV content provider, an Internet provider having an e-mail server, and a TV; user-input means for allowing a user to specify e-mail filter criteria and notification icons; retaining and storing means for retaining and storing the criteria and icons; querying means, for querying the e-mail server to determine whether e-mail fulfilling the user criteria has arrived at the e-mail server; and notification means for notifying the user of the arrival by posting the notification icons to the STB.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows or may be learned by those skilled in the art through reading these materials or practicing the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be achieved through the elements disclosed and recited in the attached claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, the drawings demonstrate and explain the principles of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a plan view of a conventional STB connected between a TV and a TV content provider.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a plan view of a STB configuration which incorporates Internet services.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a plan view of a STB running the software according to the present invention, connected between an e-mail server and a TV content provider.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a plan view of the hardware within a STB used with the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a plan view of the software within a STB used with the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is an elevational view of a TV screen running the filtering/notification application of the present invention.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is plan view of the STB running the filtering/notification application of the present invention connected between a TV provider and an e-mail server.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is plan view of the STB connected to a TV provider and to an e-mail server, where the filtering/notification application of the present invention resides on the e-mail server.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a plan view of the STB connected between a TV provider and a middle server, wherein the middle server is also connected to an e-mail server, where the filtering/notification application of the present invention resides on the middle server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Using the drawings, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained.

Hardware Architecture of an STB

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates the hardware layout of a typical STB <b>10</b> used with the present invention, including a Central Processing Unit (CPU) <b>42</b> and the three different types of memory in an STB <b>10</b>. These three different types of memory include a read-only memory unit (ROM) <b>44</b>, a flash memory unit <b>48</b>, and a random access memory unit (RAM) <b>54</b>.

The ROM <b>44</b> contains the boot code <b>46</b> and platform identifier <b>56</b>. Boot code <b>46</b> will be explained in the “Software Architecture of an STB” section below. Many different varieties of STBs exist, with widely varying technical capabilities. Because of this, each STB <b>10</b> preferably contains a platform identifier <b>56</b> that is specific to the type, architecture and capabilities of that particular STB <b>10</b>.

A flash memory unit <b>48</b> contains the base platform code <b>50</b> and the Operating System (O/S) code <b>52</b>. The RAM unit <b>54</b> can use disc storage or some other type of permanent storage. Downloaded software objects such as the base platform code <b>50</b>, the O/S code <b>52</b>, and so forth may be temporarily stored in the permanent memory or the RAM <b>54</b>, and then transferred from the RAM <b>54</b> to the flash memory unit <b>48</b> for longer-term storage. It is advantageous to store the O/S code <b>52</b> and applications in the flash memory <b>48</b>, rather than the RAM <b>54</b>, because the flash memory <b>48</b> can be accessed more quickly.

Software Architecture of an STB

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, there are four general tiers or classifications of software that run on or have control of the STB <b>10</b> during its different stages in the initialization and operation. The four tiers are the boot code <b>46</b>, the base platform code <b>50</b>, the O/S code <b>52</b>, and the application code <b>58</b>.

Referring to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the first classification of code is the boot code <b>46</b>, which resides in the STB <b>10</b> preferably in the read-only memory (ROM) <b>44</b>, and can automatically execute and initialize or re-initialize the STB <b>10</b>. The boot code <b>46</b> and platform identifier <b>56</b> are shown in both <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> (STB hardware) and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> (STB software) because they are a hybrid combination of the two, perhaps better described as firmware. The boot code <b>46</b> will preferably be automatically executed by the central processor <b>42</b> of the STB <b>10</b>. Execution of the boot code <b>46</b> may be triggered by and immediately follow connection of power to the STB <b>10</b>, or can be triggered by the user. The present invention can also require connection to the TV content provider <b>14</b> before an execution of the boot code is triggered. While the boot code <b>46</b> is executing, no action by the user/installer should be required.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the ROM <b>44</b> which is factory-installed in the STB <b>10</b> will also include a platform identifier <b>56</b> that is specific to the type, architecture and capabilities of the STB <b>10</b>. When running, the boot code <b>46</b> will attempt to match software-download information with the platform identifier <b>56</b>. Thus, the boot code <b>46</b> can determine whether a transport stream from either TV provider <b>14</b> or the ISP <b>15</b> is appropriately targeted for the correct STB <b>10</b>.

While running the boot code <b>46</b>, the STB <b>10</b> cannot provide any services to the subscriber. One function of the boot code <b>46</b> is to search the datastream received from the TV provider <b>14</b> to locate, acquire and begin execution of the base platform code <b>50</b> which is the next tier or classification of programming. If the boot code <b>46</b> cannot find the base platform code <b>50</b> within the STB storage <b>48</b> or <b>54</b>, the boot code <b>46</b> will search the data transport stream from the provider facility <b>14</b> for the base platform code <b>50</b>.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the platform identifier <b>56</b> of the present invention can be used to check any type of code object for its compatibility with the STB <b>10</b>. The platform identifier <b>56</b> is not limited to use by the boot code <b>46</b> only. The platform identifier <b>56</b> can also be used by the base platform code <b>50</b> to identify and acquire an O/S code <b>52</b> or applications <b>58</b> object designed for downloading to a particular STB <b>10</b>.

The base platform code <b>50</b> has two functions. The first function is to provide the basic capability of allowing a subscriber to watch programming from the TV provider <b>14</b>. The second function is to control the download of the next classification of code objects, i.e., the target O/S code <b>52</b>, and resident applications <b>58</b>. The base platform code <b>50</b>, while allowing subscribers to watch TV programming, does not generally support any additional functions of the STB <b>10</b>. However, the base platform code <b>50</b> can acquire, authenticate, authorize and execute objects of the third and fourth classifications of programming, the O/S code <b>52</b> and applications <b>58</b>.

When the base platform code <b>50</b> begins executing, the execution of the boot code <b>46</b> is completed and control of the STB <b>10</b> passes to the base platform code <b>50</b>. The base platform code <b>50</b> may be factory loaded, but is preferably transmitted to the STB <b>10</b> from the TV provider <b>14</b> during the initialization of the STB <b>10</b>. This allows the TV provider <b>14</b> to customize the base platform code <b>50</b> for optimal operation on the specific provider system where the STB <b>10</b> is deployed.

The O/S code <b>52</b> and resident applications <b>58</b> provide the additional STB functions available from the TV provider <b>14</b>, including the filtering/notification application <b>38</b> of the present invention. The O/S code <b>52</b> can be proprietary software from a third party (such as Microsoft's WinCE™) that provides an interface to the STB used by the resident applications <b>58</b>. In the present invention, the O/S code <b>52</b> can be either of the multi-tasking or single-tasking variety. In the single tasking case, the filtering/notification application <b>38</b> can be stored in the STB's flash memory <b>48</b>, similar to a Terminate-and-Stay-Resident (TSR) program. At scheduled times, the application <b>38</b> can be “woken up”, where it will then query the e-mail server <b>40</b>, which holds the actual e-mails as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>.

The other STB O/S alternative is where the O/S code <b>52</b> is a multi-tasking type. In such a case, the filtering/notification application <b>38</b> can reside in a memory region assigned by the O/S code <b>52</b>, and can then request the use of the STB system resources from the O/S code <b>52</b>. At such time as the request is granted, the application <b>38</b> can then query the e-mail server <b>40</b>.

STB applications <b>58</b> are software programs that run on top of, and work with, the STB's O/S code <b>52</b> to provide the STB capabilities that accompany the watching of television programming. The e-mail filter/notification program <b>38</b> of the present invention is such a STB application.

Details of E-Mail Server <b>40</b>

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows a STB <b>10</b> running the e-mail filtering/notification application <b>38</b> of the present invention, connected to an e-mail server <b>40</b> and also to a TV content provider <b>14</b>.

The e-mail server <b>40</b> can be using IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol), which is a standard protocol for accessing e-mail on a local server. IMAP (the latest version is IMAP4) is a client/server protocol wherein e-mail is received and held by a user's e-mail server. Using IMAP, an e-mail client such as an STB <b>10</b> can view just the heading and the sender of the letter and then decide whether to download the mail to an e-mail client within an Internet workstation <b>34</b>. An e-mail client within the Internet workstation <b>34</b> can create and manipulate folders or mailboxes on the e-mail server <b>40</b>, or delete e-mail messages. In the present invention, the e-mail client will also be referred to as an Internet workstation <b>34</b>, and should not be confused with a STB <b>10</b>.

Another, less sophisticated e-mail protocol is POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3). With POP3, e-mail is saved in a mail box on the server. When a user reads the mail, all of it is immediately downloaded to the Internet workstation <b>34</b> and is then deleted from the e-mail server <b>40</b>.

Functions of Filtering Application <b>38</b>

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the e-mail filtering/notification application <b>38</b> of the present invention can non-intrusively post a notification of appropriately filtered incoming e-mail <b>32</b> to the TV screen <b>12</b> upon the e-mail message's arrival at the e-mail server <b>40</b>. The application <b>38</b> does so without interfering with or interrupting the TV provider's content <b>14</b>, and appropriates only a tiny portion of the TV screen <b>12</b> merely to blink a user-customized icon <b>60</b> and optionally include an additional color or sound to indicate level of urgency. Alternatively, the filtering/notification application <b>38</b> of the present invention can attract the attention of the user independently of the STB <b>10</b> such as through use of a pager <b>62</b>.

An additional alternative exists where the filtering/notification application <b>38</b> can notify the user of impending Instant Messages, as well as telephone calls utilizing Caller ID. However, in the remaining portions of this disclosure, the media which are subject to filtering and which then cause notification will be referred to as e-mail messages <b>32</b>, even though Instant Messages and telephone calls with Caller ID could also trigger user notification.

In all embodiments, the actual e-mail messages <b>32</b> themselves do not arrive at and are not viewable from the STB console <b>10</b> and TV <b>12</b>. Instead, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, the e-mails <b>32</b>, referred to as a queued e-mail message, are staged at the e-mail server <b>40</b>, where they can then be downloaded to an Internet user's workstation <b>34</b>. In the first embodiment, the filter criteria <b>36</b> designating the types of e-mails of which the user wishes to be notified will reside at the STB <b>10</b>.

However, the present invention has two other embodiments. The second embodiment has the filtering/notification application <b>38</b> residing on the e-mail server <b>40</b>, not on the STB <b>10</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. In this embodiment, the user-customized icons are posted to the screen of the TV <b>12</b> by the e-mail server <b>40</b> instead of by the STB <b>10</b>.

A third embodiment is one in which the filtering/notification application <b>38</b> resides on a middle server <b>64</b>, located between the STB <b>10</b> and the e-mail server <b>40</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. A middle server <b>64</b> is advantageous where the e-mail server <b>40</b> is running a POP3 protocol. This is because in a POP3 server, all e-mails <b>32</b>, even those not fulfilling the filter criteria <b>36</b> specified by the user, are downloaded and removed from the e-mail server <b>40</b> whenever touched by the client. Thus, a middle server <b>64</b> acts as an intermediary to prevent e-mail messages <b>32</b> that are touched, but do not fulfill filter criteria <b>36</b>, from being erased altogether.

In the embodiment in which the user-configured e-mail filtering/notification application <b>38</b> resides on the STB <b>10</b>, the application <b>38</b> can poll the e-mail server <b>40</b>, either continuously or at selected times, querying whether any e-mail messages <b>32</b> fulfilling the user's filter criteria <b>36</b> have arrived.

How often the application <b>38</b> polls the e-mail server <b>40</b> depends on the type of connection therebetween. If the connection between the STB <b>10</b> and e-mail server <b>40</b> is a permanent one such as a DSL or an ISDN, the filtering/notification application <b>38</b> can repeatedly query the e-mail server <b>40</b> and apply the filter criteria <b>36</b> to any messages queued therein. Otherwise, if the connection is an occasional-use type, such as a dial-up connection over POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service), the filtering/notification application <b>38</b> can originate a telephone call to the e-mail server <b>40</b> at a low call-volume time, such as 2 A.M. The filtering/notification application <b>38</b> can then apply the filter to any e-mail messages on the e-mail server <b>40</b> that are queued up for delivery. Cable modems <b>16</b> fit somewhere ‘inbetween’ permanent and occasional STB/e-mail server connections. This is because some cable TV providers <b>14</b> are only equipped to transmit data in one direction, from the provider <b>14</b> to the user (downstream). These TV providers <b>14</b> require a telephone line for any instance where it is necessary to transmit data from the user to the TV provider <b>14</b> (upstream). Other cable TV providers <b>14</b> are equipped to allow for the movement of data both downstream and upstream without requiring an additional telephone line.

Icons <b>60</b>

Regardless of the type of connection, upon receipt of an e-mail message <b>32</b> that passes all filter criteria <b>36</b>, the application <b>38</b> begins posting a blinking icon <b>60</b> signifying the presence of such an e-mail message (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>). In the event the STB <b>10</b> is not in use at the time the filter criteria are passed, the filtering/notification application <b>38</b> could begin posting a blinking icon <b>60</b> or play a sound file whenever the STB <b>10</b> is activated by the user.

The user can, when inputting the filter criteria <b>36</b>, also customize the On-Screen Display (OSD) software <b>30</b> to display data or icons <b>60</b> related to the subject matter, or play an audible tone or customized sound file. Notification icons <b>60</b> could, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> for example, incorporate the word “Sony” (suggesting e-mail from an employer) or incorporate the word “Tom” (suggesting e-mail from a personal acquaintance).

Setting Up STB Software

There are two distinct phases of programming an STB <b>10</b>. The first is the initial programming of the STB <b>10</b>. The second is upgrading the programming or re-initialization of the STB <b>10</b> after that STB <b>10</b> has been placed in service. This section will discuss the first, initial programming of the STB <b>10</b>.

The boot code <b>46</b> is preferably factory-loaded in the read-only memory (ROM) of the STB <b>10</b> and is executed as soon as AC power is provided, but may also be triggered by the user. Whenever executed, the boot code <b>46</b> acquires and loads the base platform code <b>50</b>, which may be obtained from the TV provider <b>14</b> or may be factory-loaded along with the boot code <b>46</b>.

The base platform code then acquires the O/S code <b>52</b>. The base platform code <b>50</b> is not limited, however, to acquiring the O/S code <b>52</b> and other software objects only when first executed. Additionally, base platform code <b>50</b> can acquire O/S code <b>52</b> while loaded and running. One way this can occur is in response to an initialization message from the TV provider <b>14</b>.

Upgrading STB Software

As the TV provider <b>14</b> and ISP <b>15</b> services evolve, the STB <b>10</b> configuration must also evolve. This STB evolution will primarily involve changes to the O/S code <b>52</b> and applications <b>58</b>, and perhaps a re-initialization of the STB <b>10</b>. By upgrading the software, such as the filtering/notification application <b>38</b> described herein, a STB <b>10</b> can be made to perform more efficiently or offer new services as the TV provider <b>14</b> services evolve.

Additionally, each STB <b>10</b> should be periodically re-programmed or upgraded to continue to function optimally within the evolving TV provider <b>14</b> network. Each time the programming of an STB <b>10</b> is changed, including the filtering/notification application <b>38</b> of the present invention, any new code must be appropriate to the architecture and capabilities of that STB <b>10</b>. The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe the invention. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The preferred embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application. The preceding description is intended to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims.